Medicare Modernization Act Promises Significant Enhancements in Health Plan Coverage Options for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2006

Medicare Modernization Act Promises Significant Enhancements in
Health Plan Coverage Options for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2006
Beneficiaries in Louisiana will have access to health plans that feature
prescription drug benefits and low out-of-pockets, alternative to Medicare
supplement 


NEW ORLEANS, July 25  /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in rural America
will soon have more than one option for health care coverage thanks to the
passing of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003.  Up until recently,
Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana had little, if any, health care insurance
options other that traditional Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurance
(MediGap policies).

Beginning January 1, 2006, more than 650,000 Medicare beneficiaries residing in
Louisiana -- part of Medicare Advantage's recently established Region #16 --
will have access to a new type of Medicare health plan known as regional
preferred provider organizations (PPOs).  Regional PPOs differ from an HMO in
that there is no referral necessary to see a physician or specialist of choice.
 These plans also differs from traditional Medicare in that they feature a
prescription drug benefit, and are designed specifically by The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries living in
all areas of the country have ready access to affordable, comprehensive health
care -- especially those who live in underserved rural areas.

"Humana intends to offer a Medicare Advantage regional PPO in up to 14 of the
nation's 26 regions," said George Renaudin, president of Senior Products for
Humana in Louisiana and Mississippi. "We applaud Congress for taking this
historical step forward to modernize the Medicare program, and we are taking
action to make health care coverage more affordable and accessible by expanding
our Medicare Advantage product offering into regions such as Louisiana.  The MMA
has enabled Humana to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and
enhance benefits, particularly the prescription drug benefit which previously
may not have been available to many beneficiaries living in rural areas."

About Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.

Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. is one of the largest health
benefit plans in the New Orleans market and the third largest in the state of
Louisiana.

Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana Inc. is the only health plan in
Louisiana to be awarded the Excellent Accreditation from NCQA twice in a row.
"Excellent" is the highest accreditation awarded by NCQA, an independent, not-
for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health
care.

About Humana

Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's largest
publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 7 million medical
members. Humana offers a diversified portfolio of health insurance products and
related services -- through traditional and consumer- choice plans -- to
employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.

Over its 44-year history, Humana has consistently seized opportunities to meet
changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement,
providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience
throughout its diversified customer portfolio.

More information regarding Humana is available to investors via the Investor
Relations page of the company's web site at http://www.humana.com/, including
copies of: 

   - Annual report to stockholders;
   - Securities and Exchange Commission filings;
   - Most recent investor conference presentation;
   - Quarterly earnings press releases;
   - Audio archive of most recent earnings release conference call;
   - Calendar of events (includes upcoming earnings conference call dates,
     times, and access number, as well as planned interaction with
     institutional investors);
   - Corporate Governance Information.


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DATASOURCE: Humana Inc.



CONTACT:  Ross McLerran of Humana Corporate Communications,

[phone], or  



Web site:  http://www.humana.com/ 



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